Electrical trolley.



'PATENTBD MAR. 14.1905.

S. R. STODDARD.

ELECTRICAL TROLLEY.

APPLICATION FILED M111. 21. 1903. BBNBWED AUG. 12,1904.

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WIM/5855s; MW@ W UNITED STATES Patented March 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRICAL TROLLEY.

SPEGIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. '784,639-dated March14, 1905.

Application filed March 21, 1903. Renewed August 12, 1904. Serial No.220,517.

To all whom, it muy concern:

Be it known that I SENECA R. STODDARD, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of (irlens Falls, in the county of lVarren and State ofNew York, have invented a new and Improved Electrical r1`rolley, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to electrical trolleys for general use, and moreparticularly to trolleys used in connection with so-called thirdrailsystems.

1 do not limit myself to any exact form of device for carrying' out myinvention, as the same may be constructed with various modiiications,all coming within the scope of my invention. 1 give below a descriptionof my preferred form, however, and leave to individuals the privilege ofmodifying the same according to their several tastes and needs.

.Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification,

in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding' partsin all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention as applied to asimple form of thirdrail system. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thetrolley-shoe and its immediate connections. Fig'. 3 is a fragmentaryelevation, partly in section, of the contact mechanism; and Fig. 4 is avertical section upon the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 looking' in the directionof the arrow.

The ordinary track-rails are shown at 1 2 and the third rail at 3. Uponthe truck-frame 4 is mounted a beam 5, vwhich may be connected theretoin any suitable manner. Pivotally mounted upon the beam 5 are a pair ofcurved bars 6 7 and a pair of straight bars 8 9. The trolley-shoe isshown at 1() and is pivotall y connected to the bars 6, 7, 8, and 9.Another pair of curved bars, 11 12, each provided with a slot 11, asindicated in Fig. 2, are pivotally connected at their respective upperends with the beam 5. The slots 11a slidably engage the respective pins12 23. When the shoe 10 is raised, the bars 6, 7, 8, and 9 cause it tomove obliquely upward with a parallel motion, and as the bars 11 12 arefree to slide relatively to the pins 12n 23 they do not interfere at allwith the movements of the shoe. By this arrangement when the shoeis'drawn over an irregularity of the rail, such as a cross-rail orswitch, it can move upward or downward and is free to conform to thesurface of the rail. The curved or arc-shaped form of the bars 6 7 11 12assists them in gliding gently over obstructions immediately adjacent tothe rail.

Mounted upon the sides of the shoe 1() are longitudinal movable bars 13and 20, provided at their ends with pivots 14 15. The inner surface ofthe bar 13 is curved, as indi-- cated at 16 in Fig. 4. Mounted upon thelower edges of the shoe 10 are plates 17 17". The plate 17 is providedwith an aperture 19 of frusto-conical shape, through which passes apin23, carryinga sphericaljournal 18. The movable bar 2O is likewiseprovided with a curved surface 21, and mounted upon this bar andsupported by a pivot-pin 12n is a spherical journal 22, which is fittedinto the plate 17. This plate 17L is provided with an opening 25,analogous tothe opening' 19 in the plate 17. The pivot-pin' 12terminates in a head 24, and the pivot-pin 23 terminates in a head 11.The purpose of the curved surfaces 16 21 is to allow moreor lessrelative swinging' movement as between the bars 13 2O and the shoe 10,this swinging' movement taking place upon the spherical journals 18 22,considered as centers. Suppose, for instance, that by an irregularity'inthe shape of the third rail or by a splinter resting accidentally uponthe top thereof the shoe 10 chances to be twisted outwardly or inwardly`as the case may be, the play of the pins within the frusto-conicalapertures enables this erratic movement of the shoe to take place, thebars 13 and 2O moving one upwardly and the other downwardly a slightdistance. Each of the spherical journals 18 22 therefore forms asort ofuniversal joint with one of the bars 17 17, so as to render the local orrocking' abnormal movements of the shoe independent of those of thebars.

Mounted within the third rail 3 is a longitudinal conductor 26,partially surrounded by an insulating-jacket 27, as indicatedin Fig. 4.A rockingl jaw 28 is pivoted at 29 within the shoe 1() and is providedwith a contacting -edge 30, which is free to engage the longitu- TOOdinal conductor 26. This jaw 28 is provided with a mutilation 31, inwhich is a pin or crank 31, preferably integral with the jaw. An arm 32is provided with a bifurcated end 33, which engages the pin 31, asindicated more particularly in Fig. 4. The arm 32 is pivoted at 34 andis integral with a plate 35. The current is fed to the motor by means ofafleXible conductor 36. A plate 37 is separated from the plate 35 bymeansof insulation 38, through which pass screws 39, these screws beingprovided with collars 40, of insulating material, so that any electricalcommunication between the plates 35 and 37 is prevented. The current istherefore unable to escape through the plate 37 to the third rail 3.

The invention is used as follows: rlhe conductor 36 being connected withthe car-motor in the usual manner, the weight of the shoe 10 causes theplate 37 to engage the top of the third rail 3. The arm 32 is thereuponthrown to the right, as indicated in Fig. 4, so that the jaw 28 israised and the Contacting surface 30 of the same is forced into gentleengagement with the longitudinal conductor 26. An electricalcommunication is thus established between the conductor 26 and theiiexible conductor 36, whereby the motor is energized. Should thedistance from the bottom of the conductor 26 and the top of the thirdrail 3 be variable from any cause, the jaw 28, acting' solely under theinfluence of the weight of the shoe 10, is free to move upwardly ordownwardly relatively to the shoe 10 and is therefore continuously keptin yielding engagement with the conductor 26. The curved surfaces 16 and21 facilitate movements ofthe bars 13 and 2O relatively'to the shoe 10,and said ba-rs will have more or less swinging motion. The shape of theapertures 19 and 25, together with the spherical form of thejournals 18and 22, also contributes to the result and enables the shoe to move withcomparative freedom. As the trolley-shoe 1() rides along the third railit moves slightly with reference to the truck-frame, and the contactmember 27 also moves slightly with reference to the general position ofthe shoe. The third bars 11 12 merely facilitate the guiding of the shoewhen the car moves in a direction represented at the left in Fig. 1 andprevent the shoe from falling below a predetermined position.

The device above described has considerable liexibility and is notlikely to get out of order. Having thus described my invention` I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. ln an electricaltrolley system, the combination of a longitudinal conductor, a third.

shoe and provided with a bearing-surface for engaging said conductor.

2. [n an electrical trolley.v the combination of a trolley-shoe to bemoved relatively to a longitudinal conductor, contact mechanismconnected with said shoe and free to engage said conductor, andmechanism for actuating said shoe relatively to said longitudinalconductor, said mechanism being' connected with said shoe by means ofuniversal joints for the purpose of permitting relative movements totake place between said shoe and said mechanism for actuating' the same.

3. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a longitudinalconductor, a member for supporting the same, said member being providedwith a bearing-track surface, a trolley-shoe disposed adjacent to saidmember, and contact mechanism mounted within said shoe and free to moverelatively to the same for the purpose of engaging said conductor whenactuated by the weight of said shoe.

4. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe, and amember mounted therein and movable laterally relatively thereto for thepurpose of engaging an electrical conductor.

. 5. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a gl'avity-ol/)eratedtrolley-shoe, and contact mechanisin connected with said shoe andmovable to engage a stationary conductor by the weight of said shoe.

6. In an electrical trolley shoe, contact mechanism movable relativelythereto and acting automatically by gravity alone to make and breakconnection with an electrical conductor.

7. 1n an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe to bemoved in the g'eneral direction of a longitudinalA conductor, andweight-controlled contact mechanism connected with said shoe forengaging and disengaging said longitudinal conductor.

8. 1n au electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe to bemoved relatively to a longitudinal conductor, and contact mechanismconnected with said shoe and movable relatively thereto for engaging'and disengag'ing said conductor.

9. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a third railprovided with a longitudinal conductor, atrolley-shoe engagingsaid thirdrail and free to move longitudinally in the general direction thereof,and contact mechanism connected with said shoe and controllable by theweight thereof for engaging' and disengaging said longitudinalconductor.

10. 1n an electrical trolley system, the combination of a third railprovided with a body portion and with a longitudinal conductor insulatedtherefrom.a trolley-shoe engaging said third rail and free to movelongitudinally thereof,and contactmechanism connected with said shoe andcontrollable bythe weight thereof, a portion of said contact mechanismbeing IOO IOS

IIO

insulated from said shoe and provided with a surface free to engage saidlongitudinal conductor directly.

11. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a shoe to be movedrelatively to a longitudinal conductor, and a weight-controlled contactmember connected with said shoe and movable relatively thereto forengaging and disengaging said longitudinal conductor.

1Q. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a shoe to be moved in ageneral direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal conductor,a contact member connected with said shoe and movable relatively theretofor engaging and disengaging said conductor, and a lever connected withsaid contact member and actuated by the weight of said shoe for engagingand disengaging said longitudinal conductor.

13. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a third railprovided with an upper bearing-surface and. with a longitudinalconductor, a trolley-shoe adapted to move along said rail, and contactmechanism mountled within said shoe and movable relatively thereto, saidcontact mechanism being provided with a portion for engaging said upperbearing-surface.and with a portion for engaging said longitudinalconductor.

14:. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe to bemoved in the general direction of a longitudinal conductor, a contactmember connected with said shoe and free to automatically engage anddisengage said longitudinal conductor, and mechanism connected with saidshoe and with said member for automatically causing said contact mem--ber to engage and disengage said longitudinal conductor. A

15. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe, acontact member mounted therein and movable relatively thereto, and alever connected with said contact member for forcing the same intoengagement with the conductor, said lever being also connected with saidshoe and free to engage a longitudinal member along which said shoe isfree to move.

16. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a third railprovided with a conductor having its surface facing downward, a t

shoe movable in the general direction of said third rail and providedwith a member mounted within said shoe and free to rock, said memberbeing provided with a contact-surface below said surface facing'downward and free to rise into engagement therewith.

17. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe, and amovable member pivoted therein and controllable by the weight thereoffor the purpose of engaging a stationary electrical conductor.

18. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a shoe adaptedto move along the rail, and acontact member connected with said shoe andfree to rock relatively thereto when actuated by the weight of saidshoe, said con'- tact member being for the purpose of engaging' aconductor connected with said rail.

19. In an electrical trolley, the combination ofatrolley-shoe providedwith a collector movable relatively thereto, said collector being' freeto move intoengagement with a contactsurface when said shoe is pressedinto engagement with a bearing-surface.

20. In an electrical trolley, the combination of a trolley-shoe, and acontact member free to oscillate relatively thereto and controllable bythe weight thereof for the purpose of engaging a stationary conductor.

21. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a third rail, atrolley-shoe engaging the same and free to move longitudinally thereof,and contact mechanism connected with said shoe and controllable by theweig'ht thereof, a portion of said contact 'mechanism being insulatedfrom said shoe and provided with a surface free to engage saidlongitudinal conductor directly.

2Q. A trolley-shoe, comprising a member adapted to slide upon a rail andprovided with contact mechanism movable relatively to said member andfree to engage a contact-sur face 'connected with said rail.

23, A trolley-shoe, comprising a traveling' member adapted to movedownward toward a mechanical contact-surface, and mechanism engagingsaid traveling member and said contact-surface, said mechanism beingprovided with a Contact member for engaging a conductor.

24. In a trolley-shoe, a traveling member adapted to slide upon a railand to be forced toward the same by its own weight, in combi-v nationwith contact mechanism for engaging a conductor connected with saidrail, said contact mechanism being connected with said traveling memberand free to engage said rail and IOO being controllable by the weight ofsaid traveling member.

25. A'trolley-shoe, comprisinga traveling member adapted to move along arail, said member being forced toward said rail by gravity, a Contactmember mounted upon said traveling member and movable relatively theretofor the purpose of engaging acontactsurface, and intermediate mechanismconnected with said traveling member and with said contact member forthe purpose of transferring motion from said traveling member to saidcontact member. l i

26. In a trolley-shoe, the combination of a member to be moved along' arail, and a collector connected with said member and adapted to swinglaterally in a general direction crossing' the length of' said rail.

27. In an electrical trolley system, the combination ofa shoe to beflexibly connected with a motor-car and free to slide upon a supportingthird rail, a member pivoted within said shoe and facing' downward forengaging IIS IZO

the trolley-surface of said rail, and a collector also pivoted withinsaid shoe and free to move into contact with an electrical conductorconnected with said supporting member.

28. 1n an electrical trolley system, the combination of a shoe flexiblyconnected with a motor-car` and adapted to travel along a bearing-rail,a member pivotally mounted within said shoe and actuated by downwardpressure ot said shoe relatively to said rail, and a collector connectedwith said shoe and actuated by said member so as to swing laterally in adirection crossing the general length of said rail for the purpose ofengaging a conductingsurface.

29. ln an electrical trolley system, the cornbination of a shoe, asupporting member pivoted therein and movable relatively thereto, and aswinging collector connected with said supporting member and adapted tomake contact with a longitudinal'conductor.

30. In combination with a motor-car and a bearingrail, of atrailing-shoe and a collector pivoted therein for the purpose o't'forming contact with a longitudinal conductor.

31. In an electrical trolley system, the combination of a trolley-shoe,and a rocking member mounted therein, said member being provided with acontact-surface free to move into engagement with an electricalconductor attached to the side or overhanging flange of asupporting-rail.

32* In combination with a motor-car, atrailing shoe flexibly attachedthereto and tree to slide along upon a supporting third rail, a bearingmember pivoted within said shoe and facing downward for engaging theupper surface of said rail and by virtue of such engagement forcing acollector, also pivoted within said shoe, into contact with anelectrical conductor embedded in or attached to the side or underportion of the said supporting-rail.

ln testimony whereotl 1 have signed my name to this specilication in thepresence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

SENECA R. STODDARD.

lVitnesses:

W AL'roN HARRISON, F. W. llANo'Fom).

